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Abstract:

The assembly arrangement comprises a reservoir (10) on which a filling
container (20) having a bottom wall (21) is mounted; and a filter(30)
mounted to said bottom wall (21) which presents a seat portion (24)
provided of one or more windows (25a) and bearing a stopper element (40)
provided of at least one opening (41 a) and moveable between a closed
position and an open position of the seat portion (24). The filter (30)
is upwardly seated against the bottom wall (21) and coupled to the
stopper element (40), allowing the filter (30) to be moved between a
release and assembly position, with the stopper element in the closed
position, and an assembled position, moving the stopper element (40) to
its open position and to which remains axially hold against said bottom
wall (21), communicating inlet orifices (31a) of the filter (30) to the
interior of the filling container (20).

Claims:

1. Filter assembly arrangement for a water dispensing-storing device
comprising a reservoir (10) provided of an upper opening (14), a filling
container (20) having a bottom wall (21) removably mounted on the upper
opening (14) of the reservoir (10) and to which a filter (30) is mounted,
the arrangement being characterized in that: the bottom wall (21) of the
filling container (20) having a seat portion (24) provided of at least
one window (25a); a stopper element (40) being provided and having at
least one opening (41a) and being axially held and supported against the
seat portion (24), so as to be moved between a closed position, blocking
the window (25a) of seat portion (24) and an open position wherein an
opening (41a) of said stopper element (40) remains axially aligned with
the respective window (25a) of the seat portion (24); and the filter (30)
being provided of water inlet orifices (31a) and hermetically seated
against the bottom wall (21) of the filling container (20), so as to be
selectively moved between an assembly and release position and an
assembled position, in which it remains axially held against the bottom
wall (21) of the filling container (20), communicating the latest with
the container (10) by means of the filter (30), the window (25a), the
seat portion (24) and a respective opening (41a) of the stopper element
(40) when moved to the open position.

2. Arrangement, according to claim 1, characterized in that the stopper
element (40) has opposed end faces (40a, 40b), one of them being seated
against the seat portion (24) and carrying axial claws (45), the bottom
wall (21) of the filling container (20) being provided of at least one
guide slot (27) disposed in the seat portion (24), and each axial claw
(45) being disposed through the guide slot (27) and incorporating one end
teeth (45a) to be slidably seated against said bottom wall (21), in one
side opposed to the side the stopper element (40) is seated, so as to
axially lock the latest against the seat portion (24).

3. Arrangement, according to claim 2, characterized in that the stopper
element (40) and the seat portion (24) are provided within the filling
container (20), the axial claws (45) of the stopper element being
projected under the latest, crossing the respective guide slot (27) and
having its end teeth (45a) slidably seated under the bottom wall (21) of
the filling container (20).

4. Arrangement, according to claim 3, characterized in that the seat
portion (24) is defined by a recess (25) provided in the bottom wall (21)
of the filling container (20) and within which the stopper element (40)
is moved between its closed and open position.

5. Arrangement, according to claim 4, characterized in that the recess
(25) has a circular shape, the stopper element (40) being defined by a
stopper disc (41) supported within the recess (25), so as to be rotated
at its operational movement between the open and closed positions.

6. Arrangement, according to claim 5, characterized in that the filter
(30) has an upper face (31) and a lower face (39), one of which
incorporates at least two locking latches (34) to be coupled to at least
a locking means (26, 28a), provided in the bottom wall (21) of the
filling container (20), thereby axially treating the filter (30) when
this is moved from its assembly and release position to its assembled
position.

7. Arrangement, according to claim 6, characterized in that the bottom
wall (21) of the filling container (20) downwardly incorporates a
cylindrical tubular projection (28) circumscribed to said seat portion
(24) and the upper face (31) of the filter (30) comprising a tubular
projection (31b) circumscribing a recessed median portion (31d) wherein
the water inlet orifices (31a) are provided, said upper face (31)
incorporating the locking latches (34).

8. Arrangement, according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking
receiving means (28a) is defined by a circumferential flap (28b)
outwardly incorporated to the cylindrical tubular projection (28) of the
bottom wall (21) of the filling container (20) and provided of cutouts
(28c), the locking latches (34) having an inverted L shape and positioned
externally to the tubular projection (31b) of the upper face of the
filter (30), so as to have its upper horizontal leg (34a) axially passed
through the respective cutouts (28c) when the filter (30) is in the
release and assembly position and seated over the circumferential flap
(28b) when the filter (30) is angularly moved to its assembled position.

9. Arrangement, according to claim 8, characterized in that the
circumferential flap (28b) incorporates an upper stop (28d) adjacent each
cutout (28c) so as to allow the angular movement of the filter (30) in an
unique way, from the assembly and release position to the assembled
position.

10. Arrangement, according to claim 8, characterized in that the recess
(25) is centrally provided of a guide bore (29) radially expanded by at
least one radial slot (29a), the stopper disc (41) incorporating lower
claws (47) projecting downward, radial and elastically collapsible and
defining concentrically cylindrical circumferential portions having the
same curvature radius to be fitted and rotatably supported in the
interior of the guide bore (29), crossing the same, each lower claw (47)
incorporating an end teeth (47a) which is slidably seated against the
filling container (20), under its bottom wall (21), axially locking the
stopper disc (41) to the filling container (20).

11. Arrangement, according to claim 10, characterized in that the bottom
wall (21) of the filling container (20) incorporates in an inferior
position, a tubular shoulder (29b) having an end annular edge against
which the end teeth (47a) of each lower claw (47) is seated.

12. Arrangement, according to claim 10, characterized in that at least
one lower claw (47) incorporates a little radial projection (47b)
engageable through a respective radial slot (29a) of the recess (25), so
as to define at least one angular assembly position of the stopper disc
(41) in the seat portion (24).

13. Arrangement, according to claim 10, characterized in that the stopper
disc (41) incorporates at least one lower axial protuberance (44), the
recess (25) having two respective axial indents (25c), to which the lower
axial protuberances (44) are fitted when the stopper disc (41) is rotated
to one and the other, respectively, of its closed and open positions.

14. Arrangement, according to claim 7, characterized in that the upper
face (31) of the filter (30) incorporates two or more axial latches (36),
the recess (25) of the seat portion (24) being provided of an identical
number of locking receiving means (26) defined by throughout slots (26a)
angularly disposed away each other along the peripheral circular
alignment and within the recess (25) and the stopper disc (41) being
provided in an inferior position of two or more housings (43), each axial
latch (36) being received through a respective throughout slot (26a), so
as to have its free end (36) loosely fitted in a housing (43) of the
stopper disc (41), rotatably coupling the latest to the filter (30) when
it is seated against the bottom wall (21) of the filling container (20).

15. Arrangement, according to claim 7, characterized by comprising a
plurality of locking receiving means (26) defined by throughout slots
(26a) angularly arranged away each other along the peripheral circular
alignment and within the recess (25), the locking latches (34) having an
inverted L shape, and its upper horizontal leg (34a) axially crossing
through the respective throughout slots (26a), when the filter (30) is in
its release and assembly position and seated under the recess (25) when
the filter is rotated to its assembled position.

16. Arrangement, according to claim 7, characterized in that the stopper
disc (41) is provided of at least two peripheral cutouts (46), in each of
which an upper horizontal leg (34a) of a respective locking latch (34) is
housed, said upper horizontal leg (34a) having opposed ends which define
the engaging means (34c) for rotatably coupling the filter (30) to the
stopper disc (41).

17. Arrangement, according to claim 7, characterized in that the stopper
disc (41) incorporates at least one lower axial protuberance (44), while
the recess (25) has two respective axial indents (25c), within which the
lower axial protuberance (44) is fitted when the stopper disc (41) is
rotated for one and the other, respectively, of its closed and open
positions.

18. Arrangement, according to claim 7, characterized by comprising a
plurality of locking receiving means (26) defined by throughout slots
(26a) angularly spaced away each other along the peripheral circular
alignment circumscribed to the recess (25), the locking latches (34)
having an inverted L shape, and its upper horizontal leg (34a) axially
crossing through the respective throughout slots (26a), when the filter
(30) is in its release and assembly position and seated on the bottom
wall (21) of the filling container (20), near one of the ends of the
respective throughout slots (26a) when the filter is rotated to its
assembled position.

19. Arrangement, according to claim 18, characterized in that the recess
(25) is provided with a central window (25b), the stopper disc (41)
incorporating, inferiorly and centrally, a coupling means (42) arranged
through said central window (25b) and the filter (30) being provided, in
its upper face (31), of a engaging means (32) which is rotatably coupled
to said coupling means (42) of the stopper disc (41) when seating the
filter (30) against the bottom wall (21) of the filling container (20).

20. Arrangement, according to claim 19, characterized in that the
coupling means (42) is defined by a central lower projection (42a) of the
stopper disc (41), disposed through the central window (25b) of the
recess (25) and the central engagement means (32) being defined by a
recess (32a) provided in one upper end face (31) of the filter (30).

21. Arrangement, according to claim 20, characterized in that the central
lower projection (42a) of the stopper disc (41) and the recess (32a) of
the upper end face (31) of the filter (30) have a cross-section having a
cross shape with asymmetrical orthogonal extensions.

22. Arrangement, according to claim 20, characterized in that the recess
(32a) of the upper end face (31) of the filter (30) is provided of lower
orifices (32c) open to the interior of the filter (30).

23. Arrangement, according to claim 18, characterized in that the upper
horizontal leg (34a) of each locking latch (34) incorporates one end
lower shoulder (34b), the bottom wall (21) of the filling container (20)
being provided within the latest and along with one of the ends of each
throughout slot (26a), a recess (26b) within which an end lower shoulder
(34b) of a respective locking latch (34) is fitted, when the filter (30)
is rotated to its assembled position.

24. Arrangement, according to claim 18, characterized in that the stopper
disc (41) incorporates at least one radial protuberance (44a), the recess
(25) having a peripheral wall (25d) provided of two indents (25e)
angularly spaced, said radial protuberance (44a) of the stopper disc
being fitted in one and the other of the indents (25e) when the stopper
disc (41) is rotated for one and the other, respectively, of its closed
and open positions.

25. Arrangement, according to claim 7, characterized in that the stopper
disc (41) and the recess (25) are provided of the same number of windows
(25a) and openings (41a), respectively, equally spaced one to the other,
according to respective circular alignments of the same radius and
concentric to the axis of the stopper disc (41) and the recess (25).

26. Arrangement, according to claim 7, characterized by further
comprising at least one sealing ring (50) which is compressed between the
filter (30) and the bottom wall (21) of the filling container (20), when
the filter (30) is taken to the assembly and release and assembled
positions.

27. Arrangement, according to claim 26, characterized in that the sealing
ring (50) is compressed between a circular tubular projection (28) and
one cylindrical side wall portion (38) of the filter (30), adjacent said
upper end wall (31).

28. Arrangement, according to claim 27, characterized in that the sealing
ring (30) is partially housed within a peripheral channel (38a) provided
in the cylindrical side wall portion (38) of the filter (30).

29. Arrangement, according to claim 1, characterized in that the filter
(30), when seated against the bottom wall (21) of the filling container
(20), is coupled to the stopper element (40), so as to move the latest
from the closed position to the open position and further from the open
position to the closed position, when the filter (30) is moved from the
release and assembly position to the assembled position and from the
latest to the first, respectively.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention refers to a constructive arrangement for
providing the assembly of a filter to a water dispensing-storing device
to be generally provided in the interior of a domestic refrigerator and
comprising a water reservoir, provided of an upper opening and maintained
in fluid communication with the outlet faucet to be actuated by the user,
to receive the water stored in the reservoir.

[0002] This kind of device is normally provided of a filling container or
chamber, having a bottom wall which is removably mounted over the upper
opening of the reservoir, so as to close it, and a user replaceable
filter mounted to the bottom wall of the filling container and defining
the unique gravitational fluid communication between the filling
container and the reservoir.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Several different technical solutions are known to the art for
water dispensing-storing devices mounted to the interior of
refrigerators, in the inner portion of the cabinet body or the inner
liner of the door of the refrigeration apparatus, in order to allow the
user to gravitationally receive the water, by means of a faucet connected
to the water reservoir of the device and arranged in the interior of the
refrigerator or in a recess provided in the outer side of the door.

[0004] Independent of the type of assembly used in the faucet to be
operated by the user, some of these known constructions comprises a water
reservoir, adequately mounted to the interior of the cabinet or the inner
liner of the door, so as to be removable for cleaning and maintenance
operations, the reservoir being provided of an upper opening to be
closed, at least in part, by the bottom wall of a filling container,
removably seated over the water reservoir.

[0005] The filling container is generally configured in the form of a tray
and sized to allow the user to deliver, in its interior, a predetermined
amount of water to be gravitationally transferred to the water reservoir
by means of a filter removably mounted to the bottom wall of the filling
container, generally on the latest, and which consists of the unique
filtering and gravitational fluid communication between the filling
container and the water reservoir.

[0006] The above mentioned constructive arrangement allows the user to
have filtered water in the interior of the reservoir and to be
gravitationally released by the dispensing faucet, positioned in the
interior of the refrigerated cabinet or even in the outer portion of the
refrigerator's door.

[0007] One construction of such type is disclosed in document U.S. Pat.
No. 6,574,984 B1. In such construction, the filter is removably mounted
by means of the bottom wall of the filling container, crossing said wall
downwardly, no particular construction is established for providing a
secure and fluid tight assembly to the bottom wall of the filling
container, so as to indicate to the user the correct adaptation of the
filter and the certainty that the filter element consists of the unique
and possible gravitational fluid communication between the filling
container and the water reservoir.

[0008] Further according to the previous construction, the filter is
simply fitted, by means of its own weight, to the seat provided in the
bottom wall of the filling container, the sealing between the filter and
said bottom wall being obtained solely by the compression of the filter
peripheral flange against the edge, in the form of seat, of a respective
opening provided in the bottom wall of the filling container.

[0009] These and other constructions of the prior art, besides having the
same basic construction, do not provide a secure and efficient assembly
of the filter to the bottom wall of the filling container, for granting
an adequate tightness in the connection between the filter and the bottom
wall of the filling container and further a clear visual indication to
the user that the filter assembly was carried out in a correct way.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the constructive characteristics of the known water
dispensing-storing devices, an objective of the present invention
consists in providing an assembly arrangement to the filter of said
devices, so as to guarantee a quick, easy and secure adaptation of the
filter to the bottom wall of the filling container, producing a clear
visual indication to the user that the filter assembly was carried out in
the correct way and with the needed tightness, so as to cause the filter
to define the unique gravitational fluid communication between the
filling container and the water reservoir.

[0011] According to a filter assembly arrangement, object of the present
invention, applied to a water dispensing-storing device considered
herein, the bottom wall of the filling container presents a seat portion
provided of at least one window and, generally, a plurality of windows.

[0012] The assembly arrangement in question comprises a stopper element
having at least one opening and being axially held and supported against
the seat portion, so as to be moveable between a closed position, wherein
the window is blocked at the seat portion and an open position, wherein
an opening of said stopper element becomes axially aligned with a
respective seat portion window.

[0013] The filter, normally used in the present water dispensing-storing
device, is upwardly provided of water inlet orifices and hermetically
seated against the bottom wall of the filling container, so as to allow
the filter to be selectively moved between an assembly and release
position and an assembled position, in which remains axially held against
the bottom wall of the filling container, communicating the latest with
the reservoir, by means of the filter of the seat portion window and of a
respective opening of the stopper element moved to the open position.

[0014] In a preferred configuration, the filter, when seated against the
bottom wall of the filling container, is coupled to the stopper element,
so as to move the latest from the closed position to the open position
and further from the open position to the closed position, when the
filter is moved from the release and assembly position to the assembled
position and from the latest to the first, respectively.

[0015] The above mentioned construction allows the filter to be easily
adapted to the bottom wall of the filling container, by means of a first
axial movement of approximation and seat, followed by a movement of
displacement, for example, of a rotation by a predetermined angle,
sufficient to promote the axial retention of the filter against said
bottom wall and further, preferably, the movement of the stopper element
to a position in which the axial alignment occurs between the seat
portion window and the respective stopper device opening, communicating
the interior of the filling container to the water inlet orifices of the
filter positioned in the interior of the water reservoir, so as to
release therein, by means of the water outlet orifices, the water
gravitational flow being filtered.

[0016] In the construction where the filter is not coupled to the stopper,
the operational movement of the latest may be achieved by the user direct
manual operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The invention will be disclosed hereinbelow, making reference to
the appended drawings, given as an example of a possible concretization
of the assembly arrangement in question, wherein:

[0018]FIG. 1 is an exploded top perspective view of the component parts
of the assembly arrangement of the invention, according to a first
configuration;

[0019]FIG. 1A is an enhanced partial top view of the bottom wall of the
filling container, in the seat portion region;

[0020]FIG. 2 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the set of
components illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 2A is an enhanced partial bottom view of the bottom wall of
the filling container, in the seat portion region;

[0022] FIG. 3 is an enhanced top perspective view of the stopper element
of the assembly arrangement according to the first configuration;

[0023]FIG. 4 is an enhanced bottom perspective view of the stopper
element of FIG. 3;

[0024]FIG. 5 is an enhanced top perspective view of the filter of FIGS. 1
and 2, illustrating the construction of its top end face;

[0025]FIG. 6 is a top view of the filling container, with the filter in
the assembled position and with the stopper element in the open position;

[0030]FIG. 7B is a partial cross-sectional view of the set of components,
according to the first configuration and taken along line VIIB-VIIB of
FIG. 6;

[0031] FIG. 8 is an enhanced top perspective view of a second
configuration of the stopper element of the assembly arrangement;

[0032]FIG. 9 is an enhanced bottom perspective view of the stopper
element illustrated in FIG. 8;

[0033] FIG. 10 is an enhanced top perspective view of a second
constructive configuration for the filter, illustrating the construction
of its top end face;

[0034] FIG. 11 is a partial top view of the assembly arrangement in
question according to said second constructive solution, illustrating the
filter in the assembled position under the filling container and with the
stopper element in the open position;

[0035]FIG. 12 is a view similar to that of FIG. 11, however illustrating
the stopper element in the closed position and the filter in the release
position;

[0036] FIG. 13 is a top view of the bottom wall portion of the filling
container, wherein the second configuration of the seat portion is
provided, devoid of the stopper element and the filter;

[0037] FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of the set of components
of said second configuration and taken along line XIV-XIV of FIG. 11;

[0038] FIG. 15 is an enhanced top perspective view of a third
configuration of the stopper element of the assembly arrangement;

[0040] FIG. 17 is an enhanced top perspective view of a third constructive
configuration for the filter, illustrating the construction of its top
end face;

[0041]FIG. 18 is a partial top view of the assembly arrangement in
question according to said third constructive solution, illustrating the
filter in the assembled position under the filling container and with the
stopper element in the open position;

[0042]FIG. 19 is a view similar to that of FIG. 11, however illustrating
the stopper element in the closed position and the filter in the release
position;

[0043]FIG. 20 is a top view of the bottom wall portion of the filling
container, wherein the third configuration of the seat portion is
provided, devoid of the stopper element and the filter;

[0044]FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of the set of components,
taken along line XXI-XXI of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] With reference to the attached drawings and previously mentioned,
the assembly arrangement in question is applied to a water
dispensing-storing device of the type which comprises a reservoir 10,
generally parallelepipedical and molded in plastics material, having
bottom walls 11, side walls 12 and end walls 13 and an upper opening 14
which, in the constructive example, has a shape which substantially
corresponds to the rectangular shape of the reservoir 10.

[0046] In the illustrated configuration, the reservoir 10 incorporates,
downwardly, and projecting backwards, a tubular projection 19, configured
to gravitationally conduct the water contained within the reservoir 10 to
a faucet (not illustrated) arranged in the interior of the refrigerator
or in a recess provided in the outer side of the refrigerator door.

[0047] The water dispensing-storing device further comprises a filling
container 20, also generally molded in plastic material, defining a type
of tray configured to make it easy to deliver a certain amount of water
to be stored in the device, said filling container 20 comprising a bottom
wall 21, end 23 and side walls 22, opposed two by two, configuring a
contour similar to the one of the reservoir 10, such that the bottom wall
21 of the filling container can be removably assembled over the upper
opening 14 of the reservoir 10, maintaining it closed.

[0048] A filter 30, generally in a cartridge form and generally with a
cylindrical or rectangular prismatic shape, is removably assembled on the
bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20, in order to define a single
gravitational fluid communication between the filling container 20 and
the reservoir 10.

[0049] According to the invention, the bottom wall 21, of the filling
container 20, presents a seat portion 24 which, in the construction
illustrated, is defined by a recess 25 provided on the bottom wall 21 of
the filling container 20, being internal to the latter one, said recess
25 being provided with at least a window 25a arranged in a generally
eccentric way. In the configurations illustrated, the bottom wall 21 of
the filling container 20 incorporates, in a lower way, a circular tubular
projection 28, circumscribed by the seat portion 24, generally defined by
the recess 25.

[0050] The assembly arrangement in question further comprises a stopper
element 40 presenting opposed end faces 40a, 40b and having at least an
opening 41a and being axially retained and supported against the seat
portion 24, in order to be able to be moved from a closed position, where
it blocks the window 25a of the seat portion 24, to an open one, where
the opening 41a of said stopper element 40 is axially aligned with a
respective window 25a of the seat portion 24.

[0051] In the configurations illustrated, a stopper disc 41, preferably
constructed with injected plastic material and which is seated against
the seat portion 24, defines the stopper element 40. The seat portion 24
being defined by the recess 25, the stopper disc 41 is seated and
rotatably supported in the interior of said recess 25, the sizing of such
two component parts is made in such a way to allow the upper face of the
stopper disc 41 to be in a plan not higher than the one of the bottom
wall 21 of the filling container 20.

[0052] The filter 30, as already mentioned, is preferably constructed in
the form a replaceable cartridge, presenting an upper face 31 provided,
medially, with water inlet orifices 31 and configured to be hermetically
and peripherally seated and axially retained against the bottom wall 21
of the filling container 20, under the seat portion 24. The upper face 31
of the filter 30, as described in more details hereinafter, is also
generally configured to allow the filter 30 to be coupled to the stopper
element 40 during seating of the filter 30 against the bottom wall 21 of
the filling container 20, in order that the filter 30 be moved, for
example rotated, together with the stopper element 40, from a assembly
and release position (illustrated on the FIGS. 6B, 12 and 19), with the
stopper element 40 kept on the closed position, to an assembled position,
where it moves the stopper element 40 into its open position and where it
remains axially retained against the bottom wall 21 of the filling
container 20 (see FIGS. 6A, 11 and 18).

[0053] It should be understood that the filter 30 could be constructed in
order to be assembled only on the filling container 20, without being
coupled with the stopper element 40, which, in this case, should be moved
directly by manual actuation, by the user.

[0054] The filter 30 can be made in order that its upper face 31 comprises
a tubular projection 31b to be coupled with the bottom wall 21 of the
filling container 20, and a recessed median portion 31d, circumscribed by
the tubular projection 31b and wherein the water inlet orifices 31a are
provided into the interior of the filter 30.

[0055] According with a first configuration of the invention, for the
axial retention of the filter 30 to the filling container 20, the upper
face 31 of the filter 30, incorporates, externally to the tubular
projection 31b, two or more locking latches 34, in the shape of an
inverted L and with the upper horizontal leg 34a spaced apart from said
tubular projection 31b of the upper face 31 of the filter 30. In this
first configuration, the cylindrical tubular projection 28 of the bottom
wall 21 externally incorporates a latch receiving means 28a, which takes
the shape of a circumferential flap 28b provided with cutouts 28c, with
the width slightly larger than the one of the locking latches 34.

[0056] With such construction, the filter 30 can be axially moved against
the bottom wall 21, in a position wherein its locking latches 34 coincide
with the respective cutouts 28c of the circumferential flap 28a of the
cylindrical tubular projection 28, allowing the locking latches 34 to
have its upper horizontal legs 34a positioned in a level higher than the
one of the circumferential flap 28b and the filter 30 can thus be
rotated, in a predetermined way and by a certain angle, around its axes,
so that the upper horizontal legs 34a of the locking latches 34 be seated
over the circumferential flap 28b, axially locking the filter 30 on the
bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20.

[0057] The circumferential flap 28b incorporates an upper stop 28d,
adjacent to each one of the cutouts 28c and which keeps the filter 30
from being rotated in an opposed sense to the one needed to displace it
from the assembly and release position, to the assembled position,
defined by means of stop provided on the filter 30 and on the filling
container 20, as described hereinafter.

[0058] In order that the water held in the filling container 20 can flow
into the interior of the reservoir 10, exclusively through the filter 30,
a sealing ring 50 is provided, (see FIGS. 1, 2, 7, 7A, 14 and 21),
generally in elastomer material, built to be compressed between the
filter 30 and the bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20, when the
filter 30 is taken to the assembled position.

[0059] The sealing ring 50 is compressed between the cylindrical tubular
projection 28 and a portion of the cylindrical side wall 38 of the
filter, involving the tubular projection 31b of the upper face 31 of said
filter 30. The sealing ring 50 is built to be partially housed in a
peripheral channel 38a provided on said portion of the cylindrical side
wall 38 of the filter 38. Thus, it is avoided the passage of the water
from the interior of the filling container 20 into the interior of the
reservoir 10, which is not carried out through the filter 30, and in the
construction illustrated it should be observed that the filter 30
presents a lower end face 39 provided with a plurality of water outlet
orifices 39a, as illustrated on the FIGS. 2, 7, 7A, 14 and 21 of the
appended drawings.

[0060] As already previously mentioned, the construction preferred and
illustrated on the appended drawings, provides the coupling between the
filter 30 and the stopper element 40, so that the displacement of the
filter 30, between its operational positions, produces the corresponding
operational displacement of the stopper element 40.

[0061] In the construction illustrated on the FIGS. 1 to 7A, said coupling
is rotational, due to the fact that the stopper element can take the
shape of a stopper disc 41. In this case, the upper face 31 of the filter
30 incorporates preferably projecting from the tubular projection 31b of
said upper face 31, two or more axial latches 36, the recess 25 of the
bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20, is provided with the same
number of passing slots 26a (see FIG. 2A), arranged angularly spaced
apart from each other along a circular alignment peripheral and internal
to the recess 25, each passing slot 26a receives a respective axial
latches 36, the end 36a of which is loosely fitted in a respective
housing 43 provided in a lower way to the stopper element 40, more
particularly, on the stopper disc 41.

[0062] Thus, when the filter 30 is axially seated against the bottom wall
21 of the filling container 20, its axial latches 36 cross, each one, a
respective passing slot 26a of the recess 25, in order to have its end
36a housed, with a small clearance, on a respective housing 43 of the
stopper disc 41.

[0063] With the above construction, when the filter 30 is moved, that is,
rotated around its axis, its axial latches 36 are circumferentially moved
along the passing slots 26a, causing, with the engaging means 34c (see
FIG. 5), defined by its ends 36a, the angular displacement of the stopper
disc 41 on the seat portion 24, that is, in the interior of the recess
25.

[0064] In the construction described above and illustrated on FIGS. 1 to
7A, the filter 30 is axially locked to the bottom wall 21 of the filling
container 20 and still rotatably coupled to the stopper disc 41 by means
of axial latches 36.

[0065] When the filter 30 is rotated, from its assembly and release
position to its assembled position, illustrated on FIGS. 6 and 6A, it
takes with it the stopper disc 41 to the open condition, also illustrated
on the same figures, with the graphical representation of the water inlet
orifices 31a of the filter 30, visible during the axial alignment of the
openings 41a of the stopper disc 40 with the respective windows 25a of
the recess 25 which defines the seat portion 24.

[0066] The angular displacement path of the filter 30 and stopper disc 41
set can be defined by the circumferential extension of the passing slots
26a, the ends of which can operate such as stops for the angular
displacement of the axial latches 36.

[0067] In order that the stopper disc 41 be stabilized on its open and
closed positions, and the filter 30 be stabilized on its assembly and
release position as well as on its assembled position, the stopper disc
41 incorporates at least a lower axial protuberance 44, while the recess
25 presents two respective axial indents 25c (see FIG. 1A), angularly
distant one from the other, so that said lower axial protuberance 44, of
the stopper disc 41 be fitted in one and in the other of said axial
indents 25c when the stopper disc 41 is rotated from one to the other
respectively, of its closed and open positions. Thus, when the filter 30
is rotated, from the assembled position into the assembly and release
position, on the sense opposite to the one of the arrows illustrated on
FIGS. 6, 6A and 6B, the stopper disc is forced to rotate in the same
direction, causing its two lower axial protuberances 44 to be displaced
from one of the axial indents 25c into another axial indent 25c of the
recess 25, stabilizing and maintaining the stopper disc 41 on the closed
position, during the period when the filter 30 is detached from the
filling container 20 to be replaced by a new filter 30.

[0068] In order to maintain the stopper disc 41 axially locked on the
interior of the recess 24, the latter one is centrally provided with a
guide hole 29 (see FIGS. 1A and 2A), which is radially expanded by at
least a radial slot 29a. On the other hand, the stopper disc 41
incorporates, in a single part, lower claws 47, projecting downwardly,
and presenting and defining cylindrical circumferential portions, which
are concentric and have the same curvature radius to be fitted in and
rotatably supported in the interior of the guide hole 29, crossing over
it.

[0069] In the construction illustrated, each lower claw 47 is constructed
in order to be elastically deformable in a radical direction when forced
during its fitting through the respective guide hole 29, each lower claw
47 incorporates an end tooth 47a which is slidably seated under an end
annular edge of a tubular shoulder 29b incorporated in a lower way to the
bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20, around the guide hole 29,
axially locking the stopper disc 41 in the interior of the recess 25,
while allowing said stopper disc 41 to be rotated between its closed and
open positions, by the corresponding rotation of the filter 30 between
its assembly and release position and assembled position, respectively.

[0070] Each lower claw 47 further incorporates, externally, a small
radical projection 47b, sized to be fitted through a respective radial
slot 29a of the guide hole 29, requiring that the stopper disc 41 be
assembled in an angular position obligatorily defined by the alignment of
the radial projections 47b with the radial slots 29a.

[0071] As can be seen from the drawings, the stopper disc 41 and the
recess 25 are provided with the same number of windows 25a and openings
41a, respectively, which have been arranged equally spaced from each
other according to respective circular alignments having the same radius
and concentric to the axis of the set formed by the seat portion 24 and
the stopper element 40.

[0072] The constructive configuration illustrated on FIGS. 1 and 7A
consider the stopper element 40 as a stopper disc 41, which is rotatably
moved, by a corresponding rotation of the filter 40, between the open and
closed positions. However, it should be understood that the seat portion
24, either comprising or not a recess 25, and the stopper element 40 can
be built with any polygonal contour, allowing the operational
displacements of the filter and the stopper element to be linear or even
independent from each other. FIGS. 8 to 14 illustrate a second
configuration of the invention in question, according with which the
tubular projection 31b, of the upper face 31 of the filter 30,
incorporates two or more locking latches 34, in the shape of an inverted
L and with a upper horizontal leg 34a spaced apart from said tubular
projection 31b of the upper face 31 of the filter 30. On the other hand,
the recess 25 of the bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20, is
provided with the same number of latch receiving means 26 defined by
passing slots 26a (see FIG. 13), angularly arranged spaced apart from
each other along a circular alignment which is peripheral and internal to
the recess 25, each passing slot 26a receives a respective locking latch
34, which upper horizontal leg 34a is arranged through the respective
passing slot 26a and seated over the recess 25 of the bottom wall 21 of
the filling container 20, next to the end of the respective passing slot
26a, when the filter 30 is rotated to its assembled position, illustrated
on FIGS. 11, taking with it the stopper disc 41 to the open condition
also shown on FIGS. 11, with the graphical representation of the water
inlet orifices 31a of the filter 30, visible during the axial alignment
of the openings 41a of the stopper disc 40 with the respective windows
25a of the recess 25 which define the seat portion 24.

[0073] It should be understood that the sizing of the locking latches 34
is done, taking into account the thickness of the bottom wall 21 of the
filling container 20, so that, when the filter 30 and the stopper disc 41
are moved to the assembled position of the first one and the open one of
the second one, the locking latches 34 are forcibly seated over the
recess 25 of the bottom wall 21, of the filling container 20, assuring a
secure axial retention of the filter 30 to the filling container 20.

[0074] In order to allow coupling between the filter 30 and the stopper
disc 41, the latter one is provided with two or more peripheral cutouts
46 presenting a width, in the radial direction, and length, in the
circumferential direction, sufficient for each peripheral cutout 46 to
house, in a substantially coplanar way, the upper horizontal leg 34a of a
respective locking latch 34 of the filter 30, as shown on FIGS. 11 and
12. Thus, when the filter 30 is axially seated against the bottom wall 21
of the filling container 20, its locking latches 34 cross, each one, a
respective passing slot 26a of the recess 25, in order to have its upper
horizontal leg 34a housed, with a small clearance, in a respective
peripheral cutout 46 of the stopper disc 41.

[0075] With the construction above, when the filter 30 is moved, that is,
rotated around its axis, its locking latches 34 are circumferentially
moved along the passing slots 26a, causing, with the engaging means 34c
(see FIG. 10), defined by the opposed ends of its upper horizontal legs
34a, the angular displacement of the stopper disc 41 in the seat portion
24, that is, in the interior of the recess 25.

[0076] On the construction described above and shown on FIGS. 8 to 14, the
filter 30 is also axially locked to the bottom wall 21 of the filling
container 20 and still rotatably coupled to the stopper disc 41 by means
of the locking latches 34.

[0077] In order that the stopper disc 41 be stabilized on its closed and
open positions, it incorporates the same lower axial protuberances 44
already described for the stopper disc 41 of the configuration of FIGS. 1
to 7A, operating together with identical axial indents 26c of the recess
25.

[0078] In order to maintain the stopper disc 41 axially locked to the
interior of the recess 25, the latter one is provided with guide slots
27, distant angularly from each other and arranged along a circular
alignment, generally coinciding with the one of the passing slots 26a of
the recess 25. On the other hand, the stopper disc 41 is provided with
lower claws 45, incorporated in a single part and projecting downwardly,
to cross, each one, a respective guide slot 27 of the recess 25. In the
construction illustrated, each lower claw 45 is built in an elastically
deformable way in a radial direction when forced during its fitting
through the respective guide slot 27, and each lower claw 45 further
incorporated an end tooth 45a which is slidably seated under the bottom
wall 21 of the filling container 20, in the region of the recess 25,
axially locking the stopper disc 41 in the interior of the recess 25,
while allowing said stopper disc 41 to be rotated between its closed and
open positions, by the corresponding rotation of the filter 30 between
its assembly and release positions and assembled position, respectively.

[0079] As can be seen from the drawings, the stopper disc 41 and the
recess 25 are provided with the same number of windows 25a and openings
41a, respectively, which are arranged equally spaced from each other
according to respective circular alignments having the same radius and
concentric to the axis of the set formed by the seat portion 24 and the
stopper element 40.

[0080] On this second configuration it has also been provided a sealing
ring 40 built and assembled as previously described, using the same
reference numbers.

[0081] The constructing configuration shown on FIGS. 8 to 14 also
considers the stopper element 40 as being a stopper disc 41, which is
rotatably moved, by a corresponding rotation of the filter 30, between
its open and closed positions. However, it should be understood that the
sea portion 24, either comprising or not a recess 25, and the stopper
element 40 can be built with any polygonal contour, allowing the
operational displacements of the filter and the stopper element to be
linear even independent from each other.

[0082] FIGS. 15 to 21 show a third configuration of the assembly
arrangement in question according with which the stopper disc 41
incorporates, preferably in a single part, lower and central coupling
means 42, whose function is to allow the rotational coupling between the
filter 30 and the stopper element 40 in the shape of a stopper disc 41.

[0083] According with said third configuration, the upper end face 31 of
the filter 30 is provided with a central engaging means 32, to be
rotatably coupled with the coupling means 42, through a central window
25b (see FIGS. 20 and 21) provided on the recess 25, during seating of
the upper end face 31 of the filter 30 against the bottom wall 21 of the
filling container 20.

[0084] On said third configuration, the coupling means 42 is defined by a
central lower projection 42a of the stopper disc 41, generally formed in
a single part with the latter one and arranged through the central window
25b of the recess 25. On the other hand, the central engaging means 32 is
defined by a recess 32a provided on the upper end face 31 of the filter
30.

[0085] On the constructive configuration shown on FIGS. 15 to 21, the
central lower projection 42a of the stopper disc 41 and the recess 32a,
of the upper end face 31 of the filter 30, present a cross shaped
transversal section, having asymmetric orthogonal extensions, in order to
allow that the coupling of the filter 30 to the stopper disc 41 may only
occur between two rotational positions out of phase in 180° from
each other. Such coupling characteristic is desirable due to the
operational relationship to be obtained between the filter 30, the
stopper disc 41 and the bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20. In
order to avoid water accumulating in the interior of the recess 32a of
the upper end face 31 of the filter 30, said recess 32a is provided with
lower holes 32c open to the interior of the filter 30, as best shown on
FIG. 21.

[0086] As shown on FIGS. 15 to 21, the filter 30, on its third
configuration, can be built in a similar way to the filter described in
relation to FIGS. 8 to 14, the same reference numbers indicating the same
components. On this third configuration, the upper end face 31 of the
filter 30 comprises a tubular projection 31b to be seated against the
bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20, a central portion 31c
carrying the central engaging means 32 and a recessed annular portion 31d
arranged between the tubular projection 32b and the central portion 31c
and wherein there are provided the water inlet orifices 31a.

[0087] On the third configuration, for the axial retention of the filter
30 to the filling container 20, the tubular projection 31b, of the upper
end face 31 of the filter 30, also incorporates two or more locking
latches 34, in the shape of an inverted "L" and with the upper horizontal
leg 34a spaced apart from said tubular projection 31b of the upper end
face 31 of the filter 30. However, in this construction the bottom wall
21 of the filling container 20 is provided with the same number of
passing slots 26a, angularly arranged spaced apart from each other along
a circular alignment circumscribed to the recess 25, each passing slot
26a receives a locking latch 34, the upper horizontal leg 34a of which is
arranged through the respective passing slot 26a and seated over the
bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20, next to the end of the
respective passing slot 26a, when the filter 30 is rotated to its
assembled position, shown on FIG. 20, taking with it the stopper disc 41
to the open condition shown on FIG. 12, with the graphical representation
of the water inlet orifices 31a of the filter 30, visible during the
axial alignment of the openings 41a of the stopper disc 40 with the
respective windows 25a of the recess 25 which define the seat portion 24.

[0088] The tubular projection 31b of the upper end face 31 of the filter
30 can further incorporate a plurality of axial shoulders 35, arranged
according to a circular alignment and to be seated against the bottom
wall 21 of the filling container 20, when the filter 30 is moved
(rotated) to the assembled position.

[0089] It should be understood that the sizing of the axial shoulders 35
and of the locking latches 34 is done, taking into account the thickness
of the bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20, so that when rotating
the filter 30 and the stopper disc 41 to the assembled position of the
first one and the open one of the second, the locking latches 34 are
forcibly seated on the lower wall 21, of the filling container 20,
assuring a secure axial retention of the filter 30 on the filling
container 20.

[0090] In order to assure a suitable stable retention of the filter 30 on
its assembled position on the filling container 20, the upper horizontal
leg 34a, of each locking latch 34, incorporates a lower end shoulder 34b,
the bottom wall 21 of the filling container 20 is provided, on the
interior of the latter one and next to one of the ends of each passing
slot 26a, with a recess 26b on the interior of which it is removably
fitted the lower end shoulder 34b of a respective locking latch 34, when
the filter 30 is rotated to the assembled position illustrated on FIG.
11.

[0091] On the third construction illustrated, in order that the stopper
disc 41 is stabilized on its closed and open positions, it incorporates
at least a radical protuberance 44a, while the recess 25 shows a
peripheral wall 25d provided on two respective indents 25e, angularly
distant from each other, so that said radial protuberance 44a, of the
stopper disc 41, is fitted in one and in the other one of said indents
25d when the stopper disc 41 is rotated to one and to the other one,
respectively, of its closed and open positions. Thus, when the filter 30
is rotated, from the assembled position to the assembly and release
position, in the direction contrary to the one of the arrows shows on
FIGS. 18 and 19 the stopper disc is forced to rotated in the same
direction, causing its two radial protuberances 22a to be moved from one
of the indents 25e to the other indent 25e of the peripheral wall 25d of
the recess 25, stabilizing and maintaining the stopper disc 41 in the
closed position, during the period when the filter 30 is detached from
the filling container 20 in order to be replaced by a new filter 30.

[0092] In order to maintain the stopper disc 41 axially locked in the
interior of the recess 25, the latter one is provided with guide slots
27, angularly distant from each other and arranged along a circular
alignment. On the other hand, the stopper disc 41 is provided with lower
claws 45, incorporated in a single part and projecting downwardly, to
cross over, each one, a respective guide slot 27 of the recess 25. In the
construction illustrated, each lower claw 45 is constructed in order to
be elastically deformable in a radial direction when forced during its
fitting through the respective guide slot 27, each lower claw 45 further
incorporating an end tooth 45a which is slidably seated under the bottom
wall 21 of the filling container 20, in the region of the recess 25,
axially locking the stopper disc 41 in the interior of the recess 25,
while allowing said stopper disc 41 to be rotated between its closed and
open positions, by the corresponding rotation of the filter 30 between
its assembly and release positions and assembled position, respectively.

[0093] As can be observed from the drawings, the stopper disc 41 and the
recess 25 are provided with the same number of windows 25a and openings
41a, as already described on the first and second configurations.

[0094] The filter 30 shown on FIGS. 15 to 21 also presents a lower end
face 39 provided with a plurality of water outlet orifices 39a.

[0095] In spite of being illustrated herein only three possible
embodiments of the assembly arrangement in question, it should be
understood that alterations can be made in both the form and arrangement
of the component parts, without departing from the constructive concept
defined on the claims which are attached to this specification.